Odd and embarassing question

[confusedph]

I am a female amateur photographer and have been doing this for a year. I thought that I would be able to pick up a lot of the points of photography, but I am having a dilemma.

I suffered from meningitis several years ago and almost did not make it. I was very fortunate to only have lost a bit of my reasoning and thinking capabilities as well as a lot of my memory. When I decided that I loved photography, I thought that eventually I would pick up and learn about shutter speed, aperture, lighting, ISO, etc. But, I literally have searched in thousands of areas to find a very BASIC (and I mean elementary) way to learn and remember these things. I have a very creative eye, but my photos are beginning to become very limited because I can't shoot inside because I can't remember shutter speed, etc. If I knew certain basics, it would be a dream come true.

Does anyone know of a book or even an explanation that would help me? Even the "Digital Photography for Dummies" is way beyond me. I know that this might take some thinking on someone's part to help me...but I would be so grateful.

I hope to hear from someone who can help...thank you so much.

[JCW3]

Todays photography is much differant than it use to be. Many years ago a photographer would have to do everything manual, prep the equipment, lug the equipment around, and then take it home to develope an process it.

Todays cameras truly do alot of the work. Even in manual mode, the camera is still doing most of the work for photographers, well unless your one of those select few that do it all.

The thing I would recommend is study EXPOSURE. Once you learn the basics up and down the chart, you will then have to start to think in EXPOSING the photo and no so much composition and such. After a few weeks, you will be able to compose, expose, and snap all in one.

There are many books and even movies out on these subjects, and its really no easy way of jumping in to it. But if I would have to recommend one way, it would be with fellow photographers. I found many local community colleges offer beginners courses that will aid alot. That way you get hands on experance and can ask as many questions as you need. Also you will be able to see others work and allow your skills to grow and develop with others.

I have always been a fan of John Shaw's and Arther Morris's books, but there not for entry level users. But once you get a good grasp for photography that will be a good source.

[confusedph]

Thank you for your reply. I figured that there was no quick way to do it, but thought I would try to ask anyway. Have a great day!

[raaf]

If you have specific questions (even embarassing ones) you can always send them to this forum. There are many photographers who can help you in answering your questions in an easy and basic way